To increase student involvement in the community and provide the opportunity to save countless lives, Student Council hosted a blood drive in the auxiliary gym through Carter Blood Care Wednesday.

“Student Council sponsors two blood drives a year, and the purpose of the blood drive is just to get people out to donate blood because just one pint of blood could save three lives,” Student Council sponsor Jennifer Fischer said. “So it’s just one way for Student Council to help.”

Recent blood drives have grown smaller as a result of new policy.

“In the past we’ve had bigger drives, but what’s happened is now you have to give consent at 16 and 17,” Fischer said. “Used to it was just for 16-year-olds, but now 16 and 17-year-olds have to have forms filled out because of the zika virus. So that’s changed things a little bit.”

No matter the new restrictions set in place, many students continue to participate in the event.

“[I’m here] just to help with whatever is needed,” senior Lia Sorensen said. “Donating blood is such an easy thing to do, and it can save a lot of lives.”

Students and volunteers who take part in the drive are granted with rewards just as a donation recipient.

“After you do give blood, a lot of times you’ll get a call,” Fischer said. “It’s a recorded message, but it’s from someone that has survived because of the generosity of the donors. I think in a positive way to say, ‘Hey I gave blood; I made a difference in someone’s life.'”

The organization looks to accumulate up to 50 pints of blood from the event and assist the community in any way they can.

“Students a lot of times don’t have a way to help out; they’re just so busy doing other things,” Fischer said. “So this is just one way that they can help and kind of save a life.”